From shelter dog to K9 to star

STERLING - A star was born two years ago when the sheriff's department contacted the Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling about donating a shelter dog to the department.

On Tuesday, Oct. 20, at 6 p.m., "Shelter Me - Partners for Life," will debut with a red carpet premiere at the Hanover Theatre.

"Shelter Me" is a PBS series that celebrates shelter pets.

When the Worcester County Sheriff's Department contacted the shelter, officers needed to replace the department's shepherd, which was ready to retire. But, there was no money to buy and train a new dog, which could cost several thousands of dollars, according to Leigh Grady, executive director of Animal Shelter Inc. of Sterling.

"Our shelter has long been a supporter of placing shelter canines with local/regional law enforcement, as well as the NEADS assistance dog program," Grady said. "So, for our shelter, it was an honor to have the sheriff's department ask us for help in providing a canine that would be helpful to so many important programs and jobs the department handles."

Lt. Thomas Chabot visited the shelter, hoping to find a match. Chabot left with Nikita, or Nik for short, a 20-pound, 6-month-old dog that was rescued by All Sato Rescue in Puerto Rico.

Nik is one of several Mass. canines featured in the "Shelter Me" episode, all being trained to work as narcotics dogs for their communities. Nik works all over Central Mass., including the Worcester County House of Correction, where he visits the mail room to sniff out illegal substances being sent through the mail to inmates. The dog's first day on the job, he found narcotics being sent to an inmate.

With Nik's success, the Sheriff's Department returned to the shelter less than a year later and another dog - Jaxx - also from Puerto Rico, was donated by the Sterling shelter.

Nik's episode of "Shelter Me" coincides with October being Adopt a Shelter Dog Month.

Tickets to the premiere are a donation and are available through the Hanover Theatre box office. The theater donated the location for the event, with all proceeds being donated to shelter animals.